The Miami Dolphins and wide receiver Jaylen Waddle have agreed to terms on a three-year contract extension worth up to $84.75 million. The deal includes $76 million in guaranteed money. Meanwhile, the $28.25 million average per year makes him the fourth highest-paid wide receiver.
Waddle surpassed 1,000 yards in each of his first three seasons with the Dolphins. He had 1,015 yards and six touchdowns in his rookie year and 1,014 yards and four touchdowns in 2023. The former Alabama standout established career highs in receiving yards (1,356) and touchdowns (8) in 2022.
This extension keeps Waddle under contract until the 2028 NFL season. He will receive $35,978,000 upon signing, including an $18,873,000 signing bonus. The new agreement will commence in 2026, with Waddle receiving a $16,631,000 base salary. That value increases to $23,390,000 in 2027 and $25,674,000 in 2028.
Waddle’s new contract includes annual roster bonuses worth $510,000 and workout bonuses worth $100,000 from 2026 to 2028.
Coincidentally, Tyreek Hill, his Dolphins teammate, was once the highest-paid NFL wide receiver. He’s relegated to number three after the new contracts signed by A.J. Brown and Amon-Ra St. Brown. In addition to Waddle, Brown, and St. Brown, Nico Collins, DeVonta Smtih, Jerry Jeudy, Michael Pittman Jr., and Mike Evans signed lucrative extensions this offseason.
With Waddle and Hill secured, the Dolphins will negotiate Tagovailoa’s contract extension. He will play the 2024 season under Miami’s fifth-year option, raising the urgency for a contract extension.
-Lance Fernandez